……“Non-vegetarians believe
in eating the flesh of some species, their milk, eggs
of birds, etc. Whereas some people claim to be purely
vegetarian in food habits, non-vegetarians can never call
themselves purely non-vegetarian, since they also take
fruits, vegetables and milk etc. Neither any non-vegetarian
nor for that purpose any vegetarian person can be said
to be pure in the true sense of the term. Food items like
cakes, biscuits and many other products available in the
market, certain medicines, tonics etc. contain ¬different
enzymes and materials from non-human species, as do many
of the items that we use on a day to day basis, like creams
and soaps which contain animal fats etc. The vegetarian
group belonging to the so-called intellectual class of
society is fully aware of the inclusion of non-vegetarian
elements in the so-called harmless vegetarian items. Yet
they take these items beholding some traditional or acquired
value of vegetarianism. This has always been the case
with the intellectual group. It is expediency, which justifies
everything. Taking out milk from the mouth of a calf and
yet worshipping the cow as a mother is justified on the
grounds of expediency. It is expediency which forces the
human society to create hybrid varieties of ¬different
species of animals and birds ultimately to eat them like
chicken or put them into different uses. Most of the demonstrative
compassion shown towards animals, birds and other species
comes out of this utilitarian mindset of the homosapiens.
In the recorded history of mankind the highest compassion
to other species was shown by Mahavira Jain, but very
few people understand it and follow it in the right spirit.

Whatever be the justification in killing the members
of other species, the mute question is “Does anyone
wish to be killed?” Does any human being wish to
be killed and eaten by any other species except in cases
of rare psychological predispositions like suicide etc?
Will any hen or goat when asked say that it wants to be
killed? Have we not observed the pain and terror in the
eyes and tremor in the bodies of the animals and birds
when they are being slaughtered? When the very man who
does not want to be killed at any cost or even to be injured
kills an animal, is he not being totally insensitive to
the pain of others? This logically justifies the theory
that the strong rule or have a moral right to rule and
exploit the weak. This is true in the animal world where
instinctively the tiger kills the deer, as intelligence
has not developed in it as in human beings. Once its hunger
is quenched, it kills no more till hunger propels it,
instinctively again, to kill a prey. The human species,
on the other hand, even keep a stock of flesh of dead
animals in packed or frozen condition for eating whenever
it likes.

The word ‘Humanism’ (Manav-vada) used by
the so-called civilised society explains an attitude/act
of kindness and understanding towards other human beings
to whatever breed they belong. The word ‘Manav-vada’
does not necessarily include ‘Prani-vada’.
And this is where the human society falters. The urge
to kill animals when further extended as a psychological
condition can lead a person to kill other human beings
and strengthens the mental trait of violence. Have not
we observed that even today human beings are, at times,
cruelly killed by other human beings in the manner in
which an animal is killed by another animal. Have we not
read that in the places where the sages and saints lived,
even animals lost their cruel instincts? Why? Because
of the non-existence of killer mindset and an attitude
of peaceful co¬existence of different species. Can’t
the human species create an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence
with the animals? Has not God provided us with enough
of agricultural products, fruits, roots, etc. on which
human society can subsist!

The question is left open to the reader to decide for
himself rationally, even if not from the religious or
spiritual points of view. A non-vegetarian person may
not personally kill or be a part of the process of killing,
but he certainly contributes to such killings as a consumer.
To appreciate the issue properly, it would perhaps be
better for a non-vegetarian person to visit a place where
animals/birds are being killed, observe the painful reactions
of these harmless species when death is being inflicted
on them and then decide whether he should continue to
be a non-vegetarian.

The direct experience of things (and not information
alone) brings knowledge and creates a conviction whether
to do or not do a thing. A progressive man should have
direct experience and then decide on the course of action
he likes to take. This is truthful living and without
truthful living one cannot enter into the path of spiritualism.”…….

FROM "LIFE OF SAI BABA" BY NARASIMHA SWAMI

……“God-realisation or
Self-realisation is not a thing given, but the pupil is
given the necessary preparation and facilities to attain
that state. Then, the saying of Tukaram becomes true.
‘Apana Sarika Karitat Tatkal’. This means,
‘The Samartha Guru turns the sishya immediately
into his own likeness’. Allowing some latitude for
hyperbole for purposes of effect, there is substantial
truth in this saying. Hence one may recognise that the
highest use which any sane man can make of a Guru is to
get the very highest benefit possible, namely, Self-realisation
and God-realisation.
This is the highest but, in the vast circle of sadhakas
and of our readers, there are many who would not think
of the highest at all, but would have their own hankerings
or longings, which are by no means to be treated with
contempt. For instance, the achievement of the position
of an ‘Ankita’ child may be referred to as
one of the smaller or preliminary gains of the sishya
when approaching a Samartha Sadguru. What ‘Ankita’
means will be seen by the following stanza, which is part
of Narayana’s daily Arati song sung in places fike
Sakori and Shirdi.

Jo saducha
ankita jiva jhala
Tyacha ase bhara niranjanala

This means, ‘Where a sadhu (a Samartha Sadguru)
has earmarked a pupil as one for whom he undertakes complete
responsibility for both spiritual and temporal welfare
and for the entire period of his life (or lives), there
every responsibility concerning that pupil’s welfare
rests upon the shoulders of that Niranjan, that is, one
who is almost God in respect of his power and nature’.
This appears to be a truism or platitude - but is really
a revelation of the existence of Niranjanas and their
Ankitas in present day life. Niranjan strictly means having
no ‘Maya’ or having crossed the borders of
Maya. Compare the Gita verse ¬VII, 14.

That is, ‘This three-fold Guna (Satva, Rajas, Tamas)
constituting My Maya is hard indeed for anyone to cross.
But he who takes refuge and surrenders Tan, Man, Dan (Body,
mind and possessions) to ME, Iswara, crosses this Maya’.
So Niranjan is one who has crossed the three-fold Maya,
who has identified himself with Iswara and is possessed
of Ashtaiswarya (Animaadisiddhi), divine powers that can
bear every responsibility of another soul without regard
to place, time, or extent of time, that is, whether it
is generation or centuries. One may be aghast at the idea
that any responsibility can be undertaken indefinitely
or for centuries. But Baba (being a Niranjan) expressly
undertook such responsibility. When Mahlsapathy was afraid
that the Muslims would come and beat him for worshipping
Baba with sandal paste after he left the Mosque premises,
Baba assured him that neither those nor any other persons
could molest him either in this life or in any future
lives of his.

Baba told the Bandra youth, who prayed to him that he
should be always with him in future lives, that he had
already been in previous lives along with him and looking
after him, and that for three more lives that were necessary
for him to be born to work out his remaining karma, Baba
would be reborn and be with him. Similar assurances were
given for indefinite periods to M.B. Rege, etc. One reading
the Gospel of Sai Baba, that is, B.C.S. 400-450, would
notice that Baba referred to ten thousand years back,
saying ‘I was here ten thousand years ago’.
He told Shama that for 72 janmas or births he had been
with him and that he had never touched him at all till
then. That is, he recalls events of 72 janmas and knows
he has been protecting his devotee all these janmas, that
is, over 2,000 years. Especially in this janma when Shama,
an almost illiterate and helpless villager, was obliged
to depend entirely upon Baba. Baba looked after all his
interests and provided him and his children also with
means of subsistence, with comforts, with safety, and
position - as he provided to many others.

When G.G. Narke was
introduced to Baba, Baba declared that he had known him
for 30 janmas. If a janma is roughly taken to be even
30 years, this takes us nearly a thousand years back.
Hence, to give an undertaking, which appears to be definite
in point of time, is nothing for a Niranjana. The undertaking
is also indefinite in respect of the sort of attacks that
may befall a sishya. Sri Rama said -

This means, “If
a person once surrenders and takes refuge with me saying.
‘I am yours’; I undertake to protect him from
all creatures. This is my vow”. Sri Rama does not
limit either the time or the nature of the attack upon
his dependants seeking protection. Similarly Baba, who
is nothing but Sai Rama, gave undertakings indefinite
in point of time, persons, or things attacking devotees
or the place. As far as we are able to see, both Ayodhya
Rama and Shirdi Sai Rama kept up the promises that they
made. See how Baba protected Gowri and the coward Basappa,
birth after birth.”……

DEVOTEE'S EXPERIENCE

It is a true incident
that happened in 1993. I was working as scientist at National
Institute of Oceanography in Goa. My parents are great
devotees of Lord Saibaba. We too, all our brothers and
sisters used to perform ‘bhajan’ at home on
every Thursday. My father died in 1991 while I was in
USA. He used to wear several golden rings on his fingers.
One of the rings had the image of Lord Saibaba. After
my father’s death, his rings were given to all my
brothers. My younger brother got the ring with Lord Saibaba’s
impression. After his marriage in 1993, my younger brother
along with his wife and our mother came to Goa in November,
1993. Another brother and his family also joined us for
a family get-together. One day evening we all went to
‘Mirmar’ beach close to our house. All of
us were playing with water and having fun, splashing water
at one another. It was nearly 7 PM and already very dark
as there was no light near the waterline. Suddenly my
younger brother screamed and said that the ring bearing
Lord Saibaba’s image had fallen off his finger.
He did not know when and where it happened, but was sure
that he was wearing it when we came to the beach. My mother,
particularly, was extremely saddened and was in tears.
Understandably so, as that ring has sentimental value
for two reasons: firstly, it belonged to my father and
secondly it had the image of Lord Saibaba, our Guru. All
of us were equally upset by its loss. We decided to search
as far as we could. All of us were praying to our Lord
Saibaba and began searching in the darkness and bewildering
expanse of sand. No one had any idea about how to find
it. My elder brother started searching in the water on
the foreshore where waves rush up and down. My younger
brother was searching a little upward in the wet sand
area. I was searching further landward in the dry sand
area. As we began searching, a few vendors and tourists
in that region came and asked what we were searching for.
We did not tell them anything, I was afraid that in case
the ring fell on the surface of the dry sand, it might
either go deeper due to walking of so many people or someone
might quietly pick it up and go. First I requested every
one to leave saying that we were playing. After all the
outsiders had gone, I was frisking the sand, layer by
layer with my feet while looking down anxiously. All of
us were deeply and sincerely praying to Lord Saibaba for
help. Since it was dark, there was no way one could see
it. Our mother was quietly sitting at one place and reciting
Lord Saibaba’s name (nama japam) with complete devotion.
Our anxiety was growing as the search continued for over
an hour and none was able to find the ring. I was talking
to myself: “Baba we trust you and earnestly seek
your help. Please come and help us. We by ourselves are
not capable”.

Behold! Miracle of miracles,
suddenly I felt something hard hitting my toe. Since it
was beach and dry sand, many small shells were also there.
But this time I bent forward and picked up the object.
It was the same ring. My happiness knew no bounds. I screamed
very loud to announce the finding. I was extremely overwhelmed
with joy and could not even speak properly. My brothers,
sisters-in-law, my wife and children all came running
to me. Our happiness was absolutely indescribable. The
tears were rolling down our cheeks, all of us were praising
our Guru Lord Saibaba and his mercy. Undoubtedly it is
our Guru Lord Saibaba who gave the ring back to us. Can
anyone imagine finding a ring in such a vast expanse of
sand in total darkness, particularly when we had no idea
where it fell off the finger?

That is why I call it miracle,
nothing less. It shows that Lord Saibaba is listening
to our prayers and ever ready to help us. This incident
proves that He (Lord Saibaba) cares about us. This incident
further proves the word our Guru said “Go whereever
you want I know what you are doing as I live in your heart.
If you seek my help, it shall be given. All I want is
your gratitude and devotion”. We bow to our Guru,
Lord Saibaba with all humility and gratitude.

Taking Dakshina [money]
from His followers used to be an important part of Sri
Sai Baba’s style of guiding His followers.

Whatever He used to
collect during the day, He used to distribute in the evenings.
He used to give out specific but different amounts to
some people around Him every day; He used to pull out
money from His pocket without counting. The miracle was
that each person used to get exactly the same amount every
day. No matter how much He used to collect everyday, by
the next morning He used to be back being the poor fakir.

Once the British government
wanted to tax the money received by Sri Sai Baba and appointed
a secret agent to count the money Sri Sai Baba received
everyday. The agent used to get perplexed and frustrated
because, according to his observation, Sri Sai Baba used
to receive about 25 rupees everyday but He used to distribute
in hundreds of rupees. How this was possible was the dilemma?
As Sri Sai Baba's devotees know, when Baba (God) walked
on earth, anything was possible.

Sometimes Sri Sai
Baba’s asking for money used to be to remind the
devotees to pay off previously forgotten commitments or
to highlight their weaknesses and bring change in them.

Sri Sai Baba used
to say: "I never take money unnecessarily nor do
I take from everyone. I ask only those that Allah points
me to. Actually, the person that gives me money is planting
seeds for a better future. Money is there to do good to
others and to progress in the path of dharma. If money
is spent only for personal comforts, such use of money
is a waste.

What you have is given
by God and now is being asked by God. By giving money
the person attains Jnana and increases his devotion. What
do I do with money? I give back ten times more."

Where ever we go, what ever we do, His Blessings will
be always there with us He will correct us and He will
support us in each and every part of our life. He is the
Master of Masters, Guru of Gurus. Feel proud to be a child
of Baba..........
Please be with us and shower your blessings on us.

P.Viswanatham, Nellore

I am an ardent devotee of Sai Baba since my school days
and start my day with the name of my Baba. He is my everything
- best friend, father or mother or brother or sister...many
times he saved my life. Sometimes He shows me the way
through dreams. I feel that He is watching over me and
taking care of me and so I don't feel alone. I wish all
the people believe in him as He is not too far away from
us.

I am really grateful to all those who made the magazine
Heritage of Shirdi Sai and the website www.heritageofshirdisai.org
possible. I have no words to express the feelings that
arise when I read the experiences of other devotees. Please
do continue to share such experiences with us as it guides
us regarding how to lead a happy life and reminds us to
just think of our Great Baba at all times. Sai Ram

Param
Shivam, Bhopal

Thank you so much
for sending me this Sai Heritage Newsletter. It just came
to me on the day of my birthday, and entered my mail box
at midnight, just when the clock was clicking 12 that
is my birthday. I am a devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba, and
visit Shirdi each year without fail. I am in Japan right
now and I read the Sai Satcharitra regularly and also
Sahasranama. I do not know how to thank you for this wonderful
newsletter. Please keep sending it regularly. I am far
away from my India, praying Shirdi Sai Baba and He is
the one who is protecting me.

Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan,
Canada is pleased to announce the establishment of it's first
Resource Centre in Woodbridge, Toronto. All visits are by
appointment only. Shri Sai Satcharita is available in all
languages. The Resource Centre is open Monday to Friday between
10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Location: Maple Crest Private School -
28 Roytech Rd. Woodbridge, On L4L 8E4 Ph: 905 - 652-6666.
For other Details call 416-294-4804 or visit http://www.shirdisainath.org/

SHIRDI SAI MANDIR,
TORONTO, CANADA

The Shirdi Sai Mandir
located at 2721 Markham Road, Unit# 8, Toronto, Ontario,
M1X 1L5 (Intersection of Markham and Nashdene) is open
through out the day on Saturday, Sunday and holidays and
in the morning and evenings on all weekdays. Baba's Kakad
Aarti, Abhishek Puja, Madhyan Aarti, Dhoop Aarti, Satcharita
Reading and Shej Aarti are performed every day. Bhajans
and Sai Naam Sankirtan in the evening on Thursday and
Saturday. For information regarding the daily schedule,
temple activities and events please visit Mandir's website:
http://www.theshirdisaimandir.ca
or send an email to info@theshirdisaimandir.ca
or call 647-444-4724

By the grace of our Shirdi
Sai we are happy to announce the inauguration of Shri Shirdi
Sai Temple in LA region in the city of Montebello. We need
the support of all Sai Devotees. For more information please
email krishna@shirdisaila.org

This is to inform all of
you that we have a Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Malaysia. Here
we have daily prayers and special prayers on thursday mornings
9.00am and bhajans and satsang from 8 pm onwards. Also breakfast,
lunch and dinner, cooked by our seva-group is provided to
all devotees. other than that first thursday of the month
we have talk on spirituality, second thursday on health, third
thursday satsang on Sai Satcharitra, fourth thursday talk
on general topics, by experts in the respective fields. Lot
of charitable activities are conducted by our Centre,like
sponsoring immediate services to childrens\' homes, old-folks
homes, sick and needy, etc. etc.

The dream of having a full
fledged exclusive Shirdi Sai Temple in Singapore, will soon
come true. Thanks to the efforts of a Sai devotee in making
this happen. The Shirdi Sai Baba Centre in Singapore is now
live with the 3rd floor function hall, Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman
temple, being secured and converted to a full fledged exclusive
Shirdi Sai worship centre. The Centre will be devoted to celebrating
the life & teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba only. For more
information visit our website http://www.saisansthan.com/

You may have given many different gifts to your
friends and loved ones, but giving a subscription of "Heritage
of Shirdi Sai" magazine would be a unique gift as it connects
the people you love with SADGURU SHIRDI SAI and brings
His blessings with the gift.

Topic of Discussion feature is
intended to initiate useful discussions on topics related
to Shirdi Sai Philosophy and His teachings, Guru Tradition,
Teachings of the Sadguru, the nature and functions
of the Perfect Masters, true devotion, qualification
of a disciple, etc.

Send your poem, article or drawing on SHIRDI SAI
BABA and the best ones will be showcased in Heritage of
Shirdi Sai Magazine and in the Children section on our
website. Anybody upto 18 years of age can send in the
material.

In order to ensure that Heritage Of
Shirdi Sai sustains itself and is available to devotees
at affordable rates, we do solicit advertisements. However,
in keeping with the magazine’s philosophy and approach,
the advertisements would be displayed as banners and
not creative commercial product.